Do NOT let the GC control the narrative completely. There are some GCs who will literally throw the nearest sub within reach under the bus. The owner only hears from the GC typically so they typically believe what they are being told. NOTHING stops you from going to an owner’s meeting. Sometimes going straight to…

Calling our supplier to come meet with the owner, architect and GC without calling us to participate smells of collusion. Not saying that it is. Just saying that the smell test is a little stinky.

So. Tell me your going to pay me retention only to lie and not do so really is irritating in so many ways. It’s been a year and nearly nothing you have told us is correct and each time has led to a scramble on our part. Your motivation? I wish I knew but alas…

I refuse to be road kill. The State of Utah may be ok with it because the GCs have far more lobbying sway but getting rich while stealing from others is still unethical and technically illegal. I may not be able to stop it from happening but I will shine a light wherever I find…

Officially state law says that a GC is not allowed to charge more than 5% for retention TOTAL. Well at least one GC thought they were cute and now demand an additional 5% for “closeout documentation”.  Yeah. Right. Because nobody will notice and once you sign a contract even in contravention of state law then…

Freedom of Information Act = Federal level information requests for documents GRAMA = Government Records Access Management Act = Utah’s version of FOIA GCs = Fair warning, people including your subcontractors have access to a lot of information. Including information you might have tried to alter one way or the other. Like removing a date…

I honestly feel that there are architects that run a branched scheme. Beyond simple mistakes they purposely draw different plans so as to ensnare different subcontractors. Rarely do we bid from Structural sheets only. There are still structural engineers who literally use “not to scale” on their drawings so to bid you scale and measure…

Had an idea. An open repository whereby all the subs can both upload and download pictures for a project. Together the subs have a far better sampling of pictures than the GC could ever hope to have access to. Timelines can be established. Project goals met or proof of other problems such as weather, accidents…

Take as many pics as you can at high resolution. Don’t underestimate the need. Don’t underestimate the potential importance. High resolution photos can often show things in the background not originally thought to be in the picture. A picture of a wall might show a slab not poured on time. Power lines that were installed…

For the GCs there isn’t a problem but for the other subs on the job it can be huge. One project had the GC doing the concrete, rebar, steel lintels/angle irons. In other words when they screw up the back charge is coming back on them. Guess who doesn’t get paid in a timely manner.…

Is no one else frustrated that the architect is the last one to take any responsibility for plan errors? There seems to be some reasonable people but many who seemingly draw plans in an attempt to play a game of pushing costs onto the subs. Which plan and interpretation thereof is most beneficial to them.…

If you said it. Own up to it. When you can’t keep your story straight people start to notice and the trust begins to leave. Even worse. If you don’t like what you said or how you were quoted by the architect don’t threaten to stab someone based on a quote. The estimator didn’t say…

I would highly suggest that as a sub you join your local chapter if there is one in your area. They offer great benefits to helping your business. Contracts, tax laws, licensing changes, ideas for improvement in bidding, accounting, job costing from other trades as well as your competitors. There are other financial type benefits…